UCFB Etihad Campus’s Head of Academics Dr. Gerald Griggs recently had the honour of giving a speech in the Houses of Parliament to address the All-Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood.

During his talk in Westminster, Gerald was asked to present his views on PE and Sport Premium funding which has been awarded to all primary schools, before going on to outline the landscape which had preceded the introduction of the fund.

Gerald told the Group that there were areas of deep concern, such as a lack of specialist training and support for those delivering primary physical education. He went on to welcome the funding to boost PE and sport in primary schools, before voicing concern that most of the money flowed towards sports coaching companies and local sports clubs. He also questioned the accountability of schools as to how the money was spent.

Gerald, a leading scholar in primary physical education, also questioned the quality of sessions provided by external agencies, adding there are little or no quality assurance processes in place, and warning of the consequences of what might happen when the funding ceases.

He went on to give recommendations for the future, which included promoting physical education to core subject status, creating a coherent curriculum which builds upon secure Early Years foundations and a renewed focus on the inclusion of lifelong physical activities.

Speaking about the meeting, Gerald said: “It was an honour to be asked to give my views and I’m looking forward to seeing what impact I can make at this level going forward.”

Gerald was invited to speak as he is a globally recognised scholar within the field of primary physical education. For links to his leading textbook, The Routledge Handbook of Primary Physical Education, click here.

To find out more about his research involving the PE and Sport Premium, follow the below links: